With a July heatwave on the horizon and England through another round of the World Cup, chances are London’s parks and green spaces will be hosting more than their fair share of barbeques and boozy picnics this summer.
At least, this’ll be true across most of the Big Smoke’s boroughs.
From now on, sipping a bevvy at Camden Lock or swirling a glass of vino on the canal could be considered a crime. That’s because Camden Council has implemented new rules to crack down on public drinking, meaning that as of July 1, any alcohol consumption in public spaces and on the street deemed to be irresponsible could land you with a hefty fine.
While Camden Council hasn’t implemented an outright ban on drinking in public places, it’s important to know the rules before cracking open a cold one. Which is where we come in. If you’re looking to understand more about the new drinking rules, here’s everything we know about how it’ll be implemented and where the regulations apply.
What are Camden’s new public drinking rules?
Camden Council has approved a new borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which clamps down on ‘irresponsible alcohol consumption’ in public spaces and on the streets, the local authority has said. The PSPO’s introduction means the police and council enforcement officers now have more power over where people can drink in the borough.
Since July 1, officers can request people to stop drinking and hand over any alcohol (or drinks they suspect to be alcohol) to be thrown away. Anyone who refuses to comply will be fined.
How much is the fine?
Breaching the conditions of the PSPO is considered a criminal offence, and the penalty is a £100 fine. Anyone who receives a fine will have 28 days to pay it, or risks facing prosecution.
Where you can still drink outside in Camden
While there’s no outright ban on drinking in public in Camden, officials can order people or groups to stop drinking if they consider their behaviour to be anti-social.
Councillor Adam Harrison, a member of Camden Council, said: ‘This isn’t about a casual drink in the park with friends, this is about clamping down on anti-social and irresponsible drinking that we know negatively impacts residents, businesses and visitors in Camden.’
Plus, there are still plenty of places you can enjoy a sun-soaked brew across the borough without fear of being penalised.
Hampstead Heath
Thanks to it being managed by the City of London Corporation rather than the local authority, the rules don’t apply to Hampstead Heath, meaning you’ll still be able to drink there without risk of being fined.
Pub gardens
Private outdoor spaces are also exempt from the new PSPO, meaning you won’t have to worry about being fined if you’re sitting in a pub or restaurant garden.
Looking for the perfect al fresco pint? The Flask in Highgate Village, located just minutes from Highgate Cemetery, will pour you a crisp one with a side of spooky stories. Or head to Kentish Town for local brews and flavourful Caribbean cuisine at local fave Tapping the Admiral. The Edinboro Castle and Sheephaven Bay in Camden Town proper also both have lovely pub gardens.
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